MSN Direct Service Ending From their website (www.msndirect.com): "MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012". So, is this product worth buying? It seems like a Garmin that gets FM traffic via NavTeq is a better buy, but I can't find one that also supports voice recognition. MSN Direct Service Ending From their website (www.msndirect.com): "MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012". So, is this product worth buying? It seems like a... » Read More MSN Direct Service Ending From their website (www.msndirect.com): "MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012". So, is this product worth buying? It seems like a Garmin that gets FM traffic via NavTeq is a better buy, but I can't find one that also supports voice recognition. « Show Less
6188
I just brought a 885t and tried to load music on the unit and a mini sd card. the music loads but the unit says no music found. Any ideas??
6189
I think you mean the 855. It's cheaper than the 885, even when you add in the GTM20. I think that's what I'll do.
6190
How about the 885 without MSN Direct, and adding the GTM 20, which gives Navtec fm traffic? That's what I'm considering doing. Might want to call Garmin to see if this option will give you what you want. If you do, would you report back?Yes. 855 is the one i mean. Sorry for the confusion.
6191
Looking at the Garmin website, it appears that the 855 doesn't have bluetooth like the 885t does, if that matters to you Eric. Also looks like nuLink using ATT cellular is the replacement for MSN Direct (see the 1690), and it is an improvement. Perhaps Garmin's replacement for the 855 and 885t will have nuLink too.
6192
You might check out the Garmin 855 unit. I believe you can add the FM traffic to this unit according to Amazon phone support.
1128181
I ordered mine yesterday from Amazon, (249.29) got it today with free shiping! It does have the 2009 map. It came with 4.0 and it updated to 4.2 when I installed the Garmin Communicator. Not sure what this did for it, but it still does not recognize the new parts of our freeway, and my old 660 w/updated 2009 map does recognize the freeway. I just talked to Garmin, they say try it again tomorrow. They think it my have been some type of satellite allignment problem.
568707
I called Garmin on July 13, 2007 (yesterday) regarding the updates for my then Garmin Nuvi 680. (I have since returned the unit to Amazon)---Anyway, I was told the updates would be available in a few weeks and would not be free. The cost was available, but I assume it will be the $75. Evidently there are mixed responses either from Garmin, or from Garmin Owners as to what will be "free" and what will be available for a fee due to Garmin Customer Service not having a standard anwer to this question when you finally get a hold of someone there (30 min. wait on the phone). So, until it happens no one will know for sure.
597973
I live outside of Boston. We had a Nuvi 760 and subscribed to the FM traffic. It broks so I exchanged it at Best Buy and got a 780. It came with a free subscription to MSN Direct or FM Traffic. We chose MSN direct and never once found it useful. It would only show me a 1 or 2 minute delay about 35 minutes ahead on our route. I found the FM Traffic to be very useful. Once we were driving through NY City and the highway was stop and go. The Nuvi piped up and said an alternate route is available. Loved the help it gave. I began to take it whenever I drove a long distance so it would give me the traffic update. Will not use MSN again.
1837226
I agree MSN Direct is terrible, after months of complaining to them still no changes. Traffic alerts in covered areas are often not listing accidents, often problems listed are not really there. Weather alerts are often wrong. This is the worst service I've ever seen. I wonder if they are violating FCC regulations by putting out wrong information?
600734
No matter which unit offers the MSN.contact traffic option (which is what these higher end priced units offer). You will not be assured that you can use it in your area if it is not a MSN.contact coverage area. I just found this out with a Garmin 680. I live north of San Francisco in the Sonoma-Napa valley. Very populated area. Lots of tourist, travelers though here---but, MSN.contact is not available in this area, and will not be in the forseable future either. Check with Garmin or MSN.contact directly. Don't trust that you will have it just because the brochure or statistics for Garmin units tell you it comes with the unit. I have returned my Garmin Nuvi 680 due to this, and other reasons as well. No matter which unit offers the MSN.contact traffic option (which is what these higher end priced units offer). You will not be assured that you can use it in your area if it is not a MSN.contact coverage area. I just found this out with a Garmin 680. I live north of San Francisco in the Sonoma-Napa valley. Very populated area. Lots of tourist, travelers though here---but, MSN.contact is not available in this area, and will not be in the forseable future either. Check with Garmin or MSN.contact directly. Don't trust that you will have it just because the brochure or statistics for Garmin... » Read More No matter which unit offers the MSN.contact traffic option (which is what these higher end priced units offer). You will not be assured that you can use it in your area if it is not a MSN.contact coverage area. I just found this out with a Garmin 680. I live north of San Francisco in the Sonoma-Napa valley. Very populated area. Lots of tourist, travelers though here---but, MSN.contact is not available in this area, and will not be in the forseable future either. Check with Garmin or MSN.contact directly. Don't trust that you will have it just because the brochure or statistics for Garmin units tell you it comes with the unit. I have returned my Garmin Nuvi 680 due to this, and other reasons as well. « Show Less
1492156
Best I can tell is that the 285 has Bluetooth capabilities. However, it only has 9 months of traffic service while the 255 has "Lifetime." But "Lifetime" only last until the MSN service is shut down Jan 2012.
2268608
Thanks for the help Conrad! I'm curious about that myself. So essentially as of 2012, the 285WT will have absolutely NO traffic updates at all? Even FM Traffic? I'm curious myself because I'm comparing the 285WT and the 255WT. The 255WT has lifetime traffic updates, so if the 285WT is going to lose all it's traffic functionality in 2012, it doesn't seem to make much sense to keep it. Thoughts?
1894145
I've been using the Mio c310x for over 10 months now. My first and only GPS unit to date, so I can't comment much on teh Garmin c320. -the Mio has 3.5mil POIs. Didn't know much back then, but that is kind of a low amt, but it's still something to work with -Navteq used to overall superior, but ever since Mio finally came out with the map update for the c310x back around 9/2007, I thought i read somewhere here saying now says that Navteq no longer enjoys it's supremecy, but can't find the direct quote http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/008669.php -mp3 player isn't very good. Still better than nothing, but not very good at all. No way to fast forward/rewind within tracks. Surprising since it's touted to be an ebook reader. Hate to have to start a 30min track all over again to get to where u left off. Playlists are hard to work with. I just gave up on them, leaving them in order they were added to the device. I've used and made playlists in winamp 2.81, Windows Media Player 9, and 4th gen ipod with ease, but half the time, I'd rather use my PDA as an mp3 player if it were b/w these 2 for music -contrary to what's around, the c310x does NOT come with Canadian maps, preinstalled or otherwise -US maps are preloaded my next GPS device will have many more POIs, and text2speech, but my c310x gets me to where i wanna go, even in unkonwn territory
1652100
Watch for the "suffixes" on the Garmin Model Numbers to know what features they come with. For example, if you see "2757 LMT" that means that 2757 comes with Lifetime Maps & Traffic. If you see just "LM" without the "T," then it just comes with Lifetime Maps. Other Garmins without these exact suffixes will not have these features. I just bought a "2757 LM," & it does not come with Voice Command, but it does come with Lifetime Maps. I chose not to get Voice Command, because if I tell a tail-gater "exactly where to go" in traffic... I do not want my Garmin to take me there. : D Watch for the "suffixes" on the Garmin Model Numbers to know what features they come with. For example, if you see "2757 LMT" that means that 2757 comes with Lifetime Maps & Traffic. If you see just "LM" without the "T," then it just comes with Lifetime Maps. Other Garmins without these exact suffixes will not have these features. I just bought a "2757 LM," & it does not come with Voice Command, but it does come with Lifetime Maps. I chose not to get Voice Command, because if I tell a tail-gater "exactly where to go" in... » Read More Watch for the "suffixes" on the Garmin Model Numbers to know what features they come with. For example, if you see "2757 LMT" that means that 2757 comes with Lifetime Maps & Traffic. If you see just "LM" without the "T," then it just comes with Lifetime Maps. Other Garmins without these exact suffixes will not have these features. I just bought a "2757 LM," & it does not come with Voice Command, but it does come with Lifetime Maps. I chose not to get Voice Command, because if I tell a tail-gater "exactly where to go" in traffic... I do not want my Garmin to take me there. : D « Show Less
432186
While the 265t comes with a free (ad supported) traffic receiver / charger (GTM 20), it isn't MSN. You will indeed need to purchase the MSN traffic receiver / charger (GDB 55). The cost is approx. 95 bucks, but includes a one-year subscription (you can buy it on Amazon). Make sure MSN supports your area (check the map on the Nuvi 265t page). Your Nuvi will come with a suction-cup mount and the FM traffic receiver / charger. What it "may not" come with is a USB cable (similar to those on a digital camera or computer peripherals -- std USB on one end and a mini USB on the other). You will need this type of cable in order to register the unit and to perform firmware updates (free) or map updates (not free, but you have a 60-day window to get a free update -- if there is one). Please check with Garmin to see if they include this cable (several basic units do not come with this). As far as the bundle is concerned, it looks like a pretty good deal (it's only about 10 bucks more than what the 265t is going for). Now the beanbag mount isn't as nice as the Garmin product (about 25 bucks, and you just snap your unit's mounting cradle onto the ball arm), but it may work okay (you'll need to use your unit's suction-cup mount to attach it to this type of beanbag mount).
1508249
Then nuvi 855 is not for you. Take a look at the nuvi 885T - it has bluetooth and MSN traffic. Bear in mind MSN traffic is free only for 3 months. Then you can pay for a lifetime subscription which I think is about $120.
12490
Each model is different, and there are multiple traffic services. The ClearChannel traffic service that comes with this model by default (with the integrated FM receiver) is $60 for a *LIFETIME UPGRADE* according to this page on the Garmin website. https://shop.garmin.com/fmtraffic/select_service_plan.asp?L=EN&CR=1&PR=1 Just keep in mind that you may want to consider the 265WT which sells for about $250, or perhaps just hold out a little longer for the 765T to drop in price, if the traffic feature is a deal-breaker for you. Note that there are many trade-offs between the entry level (200 series) and mid-range (700 series) models that I listed above. Then again, you may just want to buy this and add traffic, but keep all this in mind. ***************************** There is another option for this unit. The MSN service, which has their own traffic, is a little more expensive but actually includes more for the money (such as gas prices, weather, movie times, news, etc). You get the first year free when you buy the optional receiver. Then you can choose to pay by year or pay once for lifetime service (about twice as much as the ClearChannel Traffic service). Garmin GDB 50 MSN Direct Receiver http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Direct-Replacement-Receiver-StreetPilot/dp/B000MFINWA/ With the purchase of a separate Garmin GDB50 receiver, you'll get a full 12 months of free service from MSN Direct. Free Trial 12 months Annual Payment Plan $49.95/yr One-Time Payment Plan $129.95 Here was the link where I got the info on the second plan option from the MSN service. http://www.msndirect.com/devices.aspx?DeviceDetailsfromServices=Garmin Note this special offer (which would add 6 months to the initial year that is included). " Limited time offer Extend your service within the first 30 days from free trial activation and get an additional 6 months of MSN Direct for only $19.95 (20% savings off the annual price)." http://www.msndirect.com/pricing.aspx
1737408
I've had better luck with MSN Traffic than FM Traffic. Unfortunately MSN Direct is folding.
1047605
The 3597LMTHD is the 2013 model and no more current models have been released in this line. As far as saying is it the latest and most complete, the answer depends on what functions you want in your GPS. The only way to answer your question is for you to go to the Garmin website, look at the current models and decide which functions, screen size, etc. are important to you. The model that fits your needs is the "best" one.
1642958
Interested on the same thing. However, on the Garmin's website they say that City Navigator 2008 is available starting with July 12, 2007. I believe it may take a while until some units with the new software arrive at amazon. It's not fair that they won't tell the version of the software installed.
1927264
That seems to be some basic stuff they've taken away. I emailed Garmin as well as Amazon to see if I can get someone to say they are wrong, or maybe amazon can fix their description. A lot of money to spend if it is false. After reading reviews, some say they have the features, and some say they don't. Maybe they are more "previews" than "reviews." I was in particular looking forward to the garmin locate feature, as well as the routing features. I also like the new size of the 1300 series. Thank you for posting this info, I hope to find some answers from Amazon or Garmin. That seems to be some basic stuff they've taken away. I emailed Garmin as well as Amazon to see if I can get someone to say they are wrong, or maybe amazon can fix their description. A lot of money to spend if it is false. After reading reviews, some say they have the features, and some say they don't. Maybe they are more "previews" than "reviews." I was in particular looking forward to the garmin locate feature, as well as the routing features. I also like the new size of the 1300 series. Thank you for posting this info, I hope to find some answers from Amazon or Garmin.